NYPD Auxiliary police officer passes away from COVID-19
New York City NY April 6 2020
An NYPD auxiliary officer has died due to complications of COVID-19, the latest member of the department’s family to succumb to the virus.
Officer Lynford Chambers passed away Thursday, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea announced on social media.
“Our prayers are with his friends & family during this difficult time,” Shea tweeted.
It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Auxiliary Police Officer Lynford Chambers, who succumbed to complications from #COVID19 earlier today. Our prayers are with his friends & family during this difficult time.
Chambers was assigned to the 113th Precinct serving southeast Jamaica, Queens.
His death came after the NYPD announced in late March it would be suspending its auxiliary policing unit, which is made up of thousands of volunteer officers.
Auxiliary officers are armed with a nightstick, radio and handcuffs — but no firearm — and serve as supplementary enforcement patrolling housing developments, subways and houses of worship.
More than 1,400 members of the NYPD have tested positive for the virus.
New York’s Finest lost its first uniformed member to COVID-19 on Saturday, when detective Cedric Dixon passed away from the illness.
Chambers is at least the fifth NYPD member to have died due to the virus in recent days.
Sources told The Post Monday that NYPD school safety officer Sabrina Jefferson, 63, had died due to the virus.
Last week, an NYPD administrative aide in the Bronx and a 62-year-old civilian cleaner at police headquarters also died from the disease as well.
